Earth and Environmental Sciences, M.S.

Program Overview:

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) offers a multi-disciplinary program of study a wide variety of research options that lead to the degree of Master of Science. The faculty teach about topics relevant to Louisiana’s earth resources and environment, but also participate in internationally recognized research. The multi-disciplinary approach of EES better prepares graduates for a professional setting where different scientists from diverse disciplines work together to achieve common objectives.

The Department also participates in the Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Applied Science program. As an interdisciplinary graduate degree program, the student will need to review the requirements for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Doctor of Philosophy which is administered jointly by the College of Sciences and the College of Engineering at UNO. The degree is administered through this program while dissertation research is conducted in EES.

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for MS Earth and Environmental Sciences
1	Understand advanced theoretical and applied concepts in the Earth Sciences.
2	Create new data and research results from original data collection and investigations.
3	Understand their research to the extent that they can effectively explain through text and verbal communication the ideas behind their research, identify the significance of the data, question existing models or understanding in the field of study or present new understanding within their field of study.

Admission

In addition to meeting the minimum standards for admission to the Graduate School,

Admission requirements for entering the M.S. in Earth and Environmental Science include:

an undergraduate GPA > 3.0;
completion of the Graduate Record Examination, with a minimum total score of 300 (Verbal + Quantitative) being higher preferred;
submission of a letter of intent to EES
submission of two letters of recommendation;
Resume or C.V.

Foreign applicants (non-English speaking countries) must also provide proof of English proficiency (see Graduate School).

Degree Requirements

A choice is provided between (i) a thesis or a research program, calling for 30 credit hours of graduate credit (24 credit hours of coursework, and 6 credit hours of research). Nine of the 24 credit hours must be earned at or above 6000; and (ii) a non-thesis option, requiring 30 credit hours of graduate credit, including 3 hours of a masters-level project (EES 6095 ). Twelve of the 27 hours of coursework must be earned in courses numbered at or above 6000.

All Master of Science graduate students will be required to:

Form a thesis committee within his or her first semester consisting of a at least three committee members with graduate faculty status;
Submit a prospectus or research work plan to the thesis committee within her or his first year; and
Submit and publicly defend a thesis or project upon completion of course work and research.

Financial Aid

Both teaching and research assistantships are available through EES. Teaching assistantships are competitive with preference given to those qualified applicants with experience in teaching basic geology and/or environmental science laboratory courses. Graduate students (M.S. and Doctor of Philosophy) may also be supported by research assistantships provided by their advisor. Potential students are encouraged to discuss the possibilities with your advisor prior to applying. Finally, there are numerous scholarships available to EES graduate students through the University. See the respective websites for further detail.